spread
adjective
1. distributed or spread over a considerable extent
- eleven million Jews are spread throughout Europe
Similar word(s): distributed, dispersed
2. prepared or arranged for a meal; especially having food set out
- a table spread with food
Similar word(s): prepared
3. fully extended in width
- outspread wings
- with arms spread wide
noun
1. process or result of distributing or extending over a wide expanse of space
Similar word(s): spreading
Definition categories: event, travel
2. a conspicuous disparity or difference as between two figures
- the spread between lending and borrowing costs
Similar word(s): gap
Definition categories: attribute, disparity
3. farm consisting of a large tract of land along with facilities needed to raise livestock (especially cattle)
Similar word(s): ranch
Definition categories: man–made, farm
4. a haphazard distribution in all directions
Similar word(s): scatter
Definition categories: attribute, dispersion, distribution
5. a tasty mixture to be spread on bread or crackers or used in preparing other dishes
Similar word(s): paste
Definition categories: food, condiment
6. a meal that is well prepared and greatly enjoyed
- they put out quite a spread
Similar word(s): banquet, feast
Definition categories: food, meal, repast
7. two facing pages of a book or other publication
Similar word(s): spreadhead
Definition categories: communication, page
8. the expansion of a person's girth (especially at middle age)
- she exercised to avoid that middle-aged spread
Definition categories: attribute, girth
9. decorative cover for a bed
Similar word(s): bedcover, bedspread, counterpane
Definition categories: man–made, bedclothes, bedding
10. act of extending over a wider scope or expanse of space or time
Similar word(s): spreading
verb
1. distribute or disperse widely
- The invaders spread their language all over the country
Similar word(s): distribute
Definition categories: contact
2. become distributed or widespread
- the infection spread
- Optimism spread among the population
Similar word(s): propagate
Definition categories: contact, move
3. spread across or over
- A big oil spot spread across the water
Similar word(s): overspread
Definition categories: stative, continue, cover, extend
4. spread out or open from a closed or folded state
- spread your arms
Definition categories: contact, undo
5. cause to become widely known
- spread information
Similar word(s): broadcast, circularise, circularize, circulate, diffuse, disperse, disseminate, distribute, propagate
Definition categories: communication, air, bare, publicise, publicize
6. become widely known and passed on
- the rumor spread
Similar word(s): circulate
Definition categories: communication, go, locomote, move, travel
7. strew or distribute over an area
- He spread fertilizer over the lawn
Similar word(s): scatter
Definition categories: motion, circulate, distribute
8. move outward
Similar word(s): diffuse
Definition categories: motion, distribute, spread
9. cover by spreading something over
- spread the bread with cheese
Definition categories: contact, cover
10. distribute over a surface in a layer
- spread cheese on a piece of bread
Definition categories: contact
Sentences with spread as a verb:
- He spread his newspaper on the table.
- I spread my arms wide and welcomed him home.
- I spread the rice grains evenly over the floor.
- The missionaries quickly spread their new message across the country.
- I dropped my glass; the water spread quickly over the tiled floor.
- She liked to spread butter on her toast while it was still hot.
- He always spreads his toast with peanut butter and strawberry jam.
- to spread a table